Cavs, LeBron stout matchup for Celtics
LeBron James against Boston in the playoffs is a spring tradition.
It is happening for the seventh time in 11 seasons and the third time in the past four. James’ teams are 4-2 in that span, including a sweep in 2015 and a 4-1 romp in last season’s Eastern Conference finals.
However, some of the intrigue anticipated in this series is missing. Boston’s Kyrie Irving, who played for the Cavaliers last season and asked for a trade in the offseason, is out as he recovers from knee surgery.
Here are the five factors that will determine this series.
LeBron vs. Celtics
James has played the Celtics 34 times in the playoffs, more than any other team, and created some of his most memorable playoff performances against them. He’s scored at least 30 points in 20 of those games, including 45 twice.
James is playing some of the best postseason ball of his career, averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, nine assists, 1.5 steals and one block and shooting 55.3% from the field.
“LeBron is on just a ridiculous run of play,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “We know it will be quite a challenge.”
Who’ll guard James? That’s a tough task for any player, especially if it ends up being second-year guard-forward Jaylen Brown or rookie forward Jayson Tatum. Marcus Morris and Al Horford could get time, too.
Celtics’ D vs. Cavs’ offense
Beyond stopping James, the Celtics must contend with Cleveland’s all-around firepower. The Cavs were dialed in against Toronto in the conference semifinals, scoring 121.5 points per 100 possessions — 11.4 points better than the nextbest offense in the round.
When Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, George Hill and Jeff Green are on — in addition to what James does — the Cavs offense is as good as any.
Boston, which had the best defense during the regular season, has been decent in the playoffs but hasn’t faced the kind of offense Cleveland possesses. Al Horford’s versatility makes him the linchpin.
Cavs’ experience
James has played in almost more playoff games than the Celtics’ entire active playoff roster. Throw in Love, Smith, Korver, Green, Hill (whose ballhandling is essential to Cleveland’s success) and Tristan Thompson, and the Cavs have a decided edge in experience, a factor in how teams execute in close games. That experience was evident in the conference semifinals when Cleveland had no trouble with Toronto’s talented but young bench that destroyed teams during the regular season.
Boston’s youth
Playoff experience aside, the Celtics have stars-in-the-making with Brown, 21, and Tatum, 20. Brown did not cower during last season’s conference finals and has only improved. He is averaging 16.9 points and shooting 48.7% from the field and 41.5% on three-pointers.
Tatum might not win rookie of the year but has been fantastic all season, including the playoffs, averaging 18.8 points,
4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and
1.2 steals and shooting 45.9%. He averaged 23.6 points against Philadelphia in the conference semifinals and became the third rookie (Donovan Mitchell and Julius Erving) since 1972 to score at least 20 points in seven consecutive playoff games. Tatum is also the third player 20 or younger (Magic Johnson, Tony Parker) to score at least 25 points in a series-clinching victory.
Don’t forget Terry Rozier, 24, who has filled in for Irving better than anyone expected.
Coaching matchup
Stevens didn’t get one vote from his peers in coach of the year voting. Odd, because he’s one of the league’s best. He knows X’s and O’s, motivates players and held this team together through difficult injuries. Had the Celtics lost to the Bucks in the first round, no one would’ve griped. Had they lost to the then-surging 76ers, there would’ve been no issues. But here they are in the conference finals, and he’s a major reason.
Don’t sleep on the Cavs’ Ty Lue. He’s at his best in the playoffs with behind-the-scenes preparation, finding the right rotations, calling timeouts and designing after-timeout plays. He knows how to create mis- matches, and that was on display against Toronto. When the Cavs have time to zero in on one opponent, Lue and his staff create solid game plans to try to take away what the other team does best.